enabling them to cry, Abba Father; and therefore if you are a true disciple of Christ, you ought to expect, and obtain his help. Think that prayer very defective in which your mind is not sensible of the Divine presence, in which your heavenly Father does not manifest his presence by imparting to you some feelings of sorrow for sin, some holy thirstings and longings after the grace and blessings of God, some ardent desires after holiness and conformity to his will; which feelings and desires are manifestly the fruit of his Spirit. Every man is more or less with his Lord in prayer, as he is more or less under the teachings of the Holy Spirit. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Cor. iii, 17. Through this divine influence hinderances are removed, and all those graces imparted, which are required in acceptable prayer. He takes of the things of Christ, and shews them to us, and leads us by him to the Father. Eph. ii, 18. Ever remember, then, that the preparation of the heart in man is from the Lord. Prov. xvi, 1. "The Spirit of grace and supplication is like a quickening spirit, entering into a dead body, that insinuates life and activity into all the parts, conveys a warmth into every limb, and gives a freshness and beauty to the whole; which, whatever other perfections it may have, is, without this, but a languid, cold, dead, or lifeless thing." Prayer, then, for the aid of the Holy Spirit, is the best preparation for prayer. Plead the promise, Thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. Ps. x, 17. Urge the entreaty, Quicken us, and we will call upon thy name. Ps. lxxx, 18.

2. TRUST ONLY IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. To pray in the name of Christ, is rightly to view and depend on his intercession, his atonement, his purchase,

and his strength. This is the only prevailing plea. Be persuaded of your own sinfulness and guilt. Mention none other name, but the name of Jesus; none other merits but the merits of Jesus, when you approach unto God. Have a constant eye to his intercession, saying with Jeremiah, O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake.' Jer. xiv 7, and Ps. xxv, 11. The assurance that you have such a High Priest, should exceedingly encourage you in approaching to, in continuing at, and retiring from, the throne of grace. All your prayers are defective and defiled; but Jesus offering up even such prayers, (as was shewn at large in the 3d chapter,) through His intercession, they become effectual; while the most fervent prayer you ever made, if it fostered a self-righteous spirit, and was trusted in, instead of Christ will only add to your guilt, and increase your condemnation. Regard his atonement. He has made peace by the blood of his cross; and God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself. Here then is a sufficient ground of confidence in your approaches to God. Consider his purchase. All the blessings that you need, and for which you ask, were bought by his blood, and are laid up ready for you, to be received on asking. Heaven itself is a purchased possession. Eph. i, 14. Depend on his strength. Without Christ you can do nothing; but you may say, I can do all through Christ strengthening me. You can only get near to God in and by Christ Jesus. Let this name of Christ encourage you to begin your prayer, notwithstanding all your sins; and quiet your mind after your prayer, notwithstanding all your defects. "Coming to the throne of grace in Christ's name," says Trail, is another thing than

If no

commonly men take it to be. Some think it is only to say in their prayers 'for Christ's sake.' To ask in His name is a higher business than to be reached by unbelievers, and men devoid of the Spirit of God. man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost; (1 Cor. xii, 3.) how shall men call on him in whom they have not believed? But can you take the Searcher of hearts to witness, that you build all your hopes of acceptance at the throne of grace in the name and mediation of Jesus! Can you say, I have no name to come to God in, but Christ's? Since all that came in his name were welcome, I will come also: having no plea but Christ's name, no covering but his robe of righteousness-I will expect answers of peace and acceptance, only in that, blessed beloved.--As much as Christ is out of your minds in praying, so much are you out in praying, and your praying out of that it ought to be. That which we beg is out of Christ's store. In whose name do we beg it, but in his? for whose sake, but for his? Out of whose hands do we receive what we ask and get, but out of his? It is marvellous that people should pretend to prayer, and think they pray, who yet forget Jesus Christ, who is all in all, in all right prayer."

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3. BE WATCHFUL.-Watch unto prayer. It is observable how frequently watchfulness and prayer are joined together by our Lord and his Apostles. Jesus Christ says, Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape.' Luke xxi, 36. St. Paul says, 'Continue in prayer, and watch in the same:' (Col. iv. 2.) and St. Peter, after saying, The end of all things is at hand,' exhorts them, 'Be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.' 1 Pet. iv, 7.

You should watch FOR

FAVOURABLE

OPPORTUNITIES

OF PRAYER. In some happy moments, when circumstances concur to call us to this duty, a more than ordinary divine influence seems to be granted to the Christian, disposing and inclining his heart to pray, and wonderfully assisting him with suitable thoughts, and desires. There is a full breeze, as it were, of spiritual aid vouchsafed. In this case, we should spread every sail, seize the happy opportunity, be instant in prayer, and make large advances towards the haven where we would be.

Watch AGAINST those HINDERANCES which have already been mentioned, and need not be repeated.Your hearts are evil, watch over them at all times.This is needful to keep them in a proper state for prayer. Worldly-mindedness, or the indulgence of any sin in the heart, gradually unfits us for approaching Him, who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.Ps. lxvi, 18.

6

Watch also FOR MATTER FOR PRAYER. Maintain a temper always ready to converse with God. A man should be careful,' says Bishop Wilkins, to keep a register of the most remarkable passages of his life, as to God's dealings with him, and his conduct towards God; his sins and defects; his sufferings and wants; his mercies and enjoyments. A common-place-book of this kind, arranged under the various heads of prayer, would be of great use.'

Watch also OVER YOUR HEARTS IN PRAYER. If there be one time more than another, when the duty, Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life, is incumbent on us, it is in the time of

intercourse with the Majesty of Heaven. We should then specially take heed of uttering the words of penitence, faith, hope, and love, without a penitent, believing, hoping, and loving state of mind.

TO YOUR PRAYERS.

Lastly, watch for ANSWERS Take notice how they prosper, and whether you really gain what you ask. It has already been observed, how much comfort we lose by negligence in this respect. "I know," said one, "that the Bible is true, because I pray to God through Christ, and he hears me. I know also that God regards me, and loves me, because he gives me those very blessings which I ask at his hand." David found this a great means of increasing his love to God, and his spirit of prayer also. I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplication. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. Ps. cxvi, 1, 2. In the morning you prayed for such and such blessings, to be enjoyed in the day; at night, then, ask yourself, Did I gain these blessings? If so, Praise the Lord: if not, you did not ask in faith, or according to the will of God; or the Lord delays an answer to try your faith. Here are reasons for humiliation, confession, and persevering prayer.

severance.

All this watchfulness requires great patience and perIt is easy to go through the round of outward forms and duties, but it is another thing to be praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance. Hence, though the devout man be truly blessed, he is an uncommon character.

4. MEDITATE BEFORE YOU PRAY. -This is a most important part of preparation for prayer.

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